Special Training Ends, Mission

Nebula Kotetsu fell silent.

There was no other reason; it was simply that the barrage of output from Uzuki Yugao was so dense that he couldn't quite react in time.

A moment later, having regained his composure, he said, "Yugao."

"You've misunderstood."

"I am not that kind of person." As he said this, he thought of the system's dungeon mission, and for some reason, Nebula Kotetsu felt inexplicably guilty.

He continued, "Anko never confessed her feelings to me before."

"Besides, she is my friend—one of the few friends I have."

Back when he was being hunted by the fanatical followers of his girlfriend, Mitarashi Anko had happened to save him.

As a man of principle with a rich emotional life, he felt that making a move on her would be akin to returning kindness with enmity. So, even though he knew it wouldn't be difficult, he hadn't "scummed" her.

How did it become his problem in Uzuki Yugao's logic?

Hearing Nebula Kotetsu's reply, Uzuki Yugao looked at him with a meaningful gaze.

"Really?"

"...I don't believe you."

Nebula Kotetsu: "Believe what you want."

Uzuki Yugao: "Then do you dare to swear an oath?"

Swear an oath? Nebula Kotetsu thought to himself that he certainly dared, as it wasn't like posting on social media.

However, he didn't want to follow her rhythm anymore.

He let his expression turn cold and said, "Yugao."

"If you want to spar in swordsmanship, I welcome it."

"As long as I have the time, I guarantee I will spar with you until you are satisfied, but as for other things... I'm sorry, please don't say any more."

Disappointment flickered in Uzuki Yugao's eyes.

She had come to find Nebula Kotetsu with the mindset of someone who was sure to win, never expecting him to be harder to handle than she had imagined.

Looking at his dazzling, peerless face, she felt very unhappy.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up as if she had thought of something, and she immediately asked, "Senior Nebula."

"You said that as long as you have time, I can come to you for sword practice, right?"

Nebula Kotetsu nodded: "Hmm... but it can't be for too long."

"I can't dedicate all my time to you; I don't even have enough time to spend with my girlfriend."

"Don't worry." Uzuki Yugao smiled brightly: "Then it's a deal."

"From now on, I'll come to find you for an hour of sword practice every day."

Nebula Kotetsu: "Fine."

Uzuki Yugao finally left, satisfied.

Before she left, she looked at Nebula Kotetsu's face, smiling like a cat that had successfully stolen a fish.

Senior, oh senior.

Swordsmanship isn't just about killing and fighting.

Have you heard of the Deep Affection Blade? Have you heard of the Cloud-Turning Rain-Covering Sword? Next time, I'll let you experience them.

After Uzuki Yugao left, Nebula Kotetsu continued his daily rhythm.

He checked in on his headache-inducing younger brother and went on a picnic with his girlfriend as planned. The next day, he woke up early to shine with the green light of youth alongside Might Guy, polishing their friendship.

It must be said, after a few days, his body seemed to have gradually adapted to early morning exercise. He didn't feel like dying when he woke up, and when he sprinted alongside Might Guy, his lungs didn't feel like they were about to explode anymore.

Even without the rewards from the system panel, he could feel his physical state constantly improving. After every workout, he only felt his energy flowing smoothly, his mind open, and his mood refreshed.

If he didn't have to go home early to change out of the green spandex, his mood would be even better.

He practiced with Mikoto Uchiha and asked her for advice.

In the afternoon, he sparred in swordsmanship with Uzuki Yugao, who would skip class or take leave to come over.

In the following days, he finally understood the meaningful smile Uzuki Yugao had worn when she left that first day.

Good grief, he had never seen such "swordsmanship" before.

At the beginning, Uzuki Yugao was relatively normal—practicing the blade, taking a break, and continuing to practice.

But as time went on, her movements became irregular, and then...

"Senior Nebula, your posture for holding the blade is wrong. Although it feels smoother to exert force at first, it will damage your joints. Come, let me teach you the correct way to hold the blade."

"Senior Nebula, that's still not right. Come, look at how I hold the blade. Come, feel it."

"Senior, you have so much strength; my hand is numb from the vibration."

"Senior, you're improving so fast."

"Nebula, you're amazing!"

Nebula Kotetsu had considered stopping her.

"Isn't it a bit impolite to address me like that?"

Uzuki Yugao replied with sound logic: "Impolite?"

"Don't you think calling you this way makes us closer?"

"Besides, what need is there for politeness between us?" Having said that, she continued exactly as she had been.

In her words, this was merely a sparring session, but the intensity had rapidly surpassed Rin Nohara and was approaching the level of Kanako and the others.

Busy days passed by in a flash.

One morning, Nebula Kotetsu and Asuma Sarutobi were sparring with Mikoto Uchiha at her training ground.

After Asuma Sarutobi came Kurenai Yuhi, and after Kurenai Yuhi, it was his turn.

Over the past few days, his progress and combat rhythm had improved significantly; his movements were fluid, and his attacks were swift and powerful.

Even Kurenai Yuhi could feel Nebula Kotetsu's improvement.

"Asuma, Nebula's taijutsu is improving so fast." Watching Nebula Kotetsu, who was in the middle of an intense practice match with Mikoto Uchiha, Kurenai Yuhi remarked with emotion.

Asuma glanced over and said, "I don't think so; it's clearly just average."

Kurenai Yuhi asked, "Haven't you noticed?"

"Teacher Mikoto is much more serious than she was a moment ago."

Asuma Sarutobi dismissed it: "It must be because she exhausted her stamina on the two of us just now. Think about it, he's just a newly graduated genin; how could he possibly make Teacher Mikoto take him seriously?"

Kurenai Yuhi's brows gradually furrowed.

Looking at the stubborn Asuma Sarutobi, she couldn't help but say, "Asuma, is it that hard to admit your teammate is excellent?"

"We are partners who will be executing missions and facing danger together in the future; you shouldn't keep holding a grudge against Nebula."

Hearing this, a surge of anger rose in Asuma Sarutobi's heart. Yet, under Kurenai Yuhi's dissatisfied gaze, he could only suppress his temper and stubbornly retort, "I don't..."

Kurenai Yuhi also felt her words had been a bit harsh, so she softened her tone and said, "It's good if you don't. Asuma, I hope my teammates are people who unite with their companions, and that my friends are people with broad minds."

"Sometimes, your temper really needs to change."

Asuma Sarutobi lowered his head, his face flushing.

There was shame, but also resentment. Yet, in front of Kurenai Yuhi, he buried his emotions deep down.

If Kurenai liked people with broad minds, then he would just ignore this guy Nebula Kotetsu for now. There would be plenty of opportunities to prove himself anyway.

Kurenai would eventually realize that he was the best!

"Bang!" Their feet collided, and the two combatants retreated.

After stabilizing his stance, Nebula Kotetsu wanted to press the attack, but Mikoto Uchiha reached out to stop him.

"That's enough."

"Let's end it here for today."

Hearing this, Nebula Kotetsu relaxed his body, panting heavily as he took off his gloves.

Mikoto Uchiha steadied her breathing, which had accelerated from the exercise, and said, "The three of you have all made rapid progress recently."

"The special training ends here; starting tomorrow, you will begin taking on missions."

The three of them looked up sharply. Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi exchanged a glance, both seeing the anticipation in each other's eyes.